Every Child Every Promise: Turning Failure into Action

January 15, 2014

This report presents the first national research that comprehensively measures the presence of the essential resources -- the Five Promises -- that correlate with success in both youth and adulthood. The report clearly shows that we have much work to do as a nation. But it also shows how we can turn failure into action and improve the lives of young people at risk.

America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. America's Promise brings together 350 national organizations representing nonprofits, businesses, communities, educators and policymakers. America’s Promise focuses on ending the high school dropout crisis and ensuring that students graduate ready for college and the 21st century workforce. The Grad Nation campaign, launched in 2010, is the centerpiece of these efforts. The high school dropout crisis demonstrates a critical shortage of the Five Promises in the lives of millions of children.

The Five Promises

The Five Promises are the fundamental resources that young people need to succeed in life. They are: Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others. The work of America's Promise is built around the framework of ensuring that more young people experience more of the Promises. Children who receive at least four of the Five Promises are much more likely than those who experience only one or zero Promises to succeed academically, socially and civically. They are more likely to avoid violence, contribute to their communities and achieve high grades in school. Receiving at least four of the Five Promises also appears to mitigate gaps across racial and economic boundaries. To experience the full power of the Promises, young people must experience these critical supports throughout their lives — in their families, at schools and out in their communities.

Leadership

America’s Promise Alliance is guided by leaders from all sectors of American life: The business community; nonprofits, community groups, policymakers, experts in children’s and youth issues, concerned individuals and young people.

Our History

America’s Promise grew out of the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997 where Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter and Ford (with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan), challenged America to make children and youth a national priority. Building on the legacy of Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, America's Promise is the leader in forging a strong and effective partnership alliance committed to seeing that children experience the Five Promises.

The 5 Promises

The 5 Promises represent conditions children need to achieve adult success. The collective work of the Alliance involves keeping these promises to America’s youth. This article relates to the promises highlighted below: